How latest dose adds to hopes

There are already two other vaccines – why’s this a big deal?

WHILE the Pfizer and Moderna jabs also had positive results, they both have drawbacks that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine does not.

The Oxford vaccine is much better suited to mass immunisation involving billions of people. The Oxford results also suggest that the vaccination will stop someone becoming infected and passing it on. The previous results only showed a jab would stop someone getting ill.

However, the Pfizer and Moderna jabs will still be important in addressing the pandemic, with the EU ordering hundreds of millions of doses between the two for member states.

Why is it easier to roll out?

The Oxford vaccine can be stored and transported in a normal fridge, while the other two require deep freeze. This jab is also significantly cheaper – €2.25 to €3.40 per dose. This compares with the €15.50 that the EU has already agreed to pay Pfizer per dose. The EU is also reportedly hoping to pay less than €21 per dose of the Moderna vaccine.

In addition, the Oxford jab is based on well-established technology, meaning it is easier to manufacture at large scale.

What does it mean for Ireland?

Back in August, the EU negotiated an advanced purchase agreement with AstraZeneca, which was for 300million doses of the vaccine with an option for a further 100million. This, like all other Covid-19 vaccines, will be distributed on a pro-rata basis to member states.

This means I reland could get approximately four million doses of the vaccine, which is a lot – especially when they are added to the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, to which this country is also entitled.

So which is the better vaccine?

The data is roughly the same, with each vaccine giving roughly 90% protection at the optimal dose.

Why is an initial half dose more effective?

Scientists are not entirely sure, but believe a half dose ‘primes’ the immune system, while the second full dose boosts that protection. Giving a full dose for the first jab may lead to the immune system over-reacting and killing off the vital cells on which the vaccine relies.

How soon will we get the jabs?

The various vaccines still have to get approval from the European Medicines Agency, which could be secured by early next year. After this, it comes down to how fast the vaccines can be distributed to member states and who needs them the most.

The Irish vaccine delivery task force met for the first time yesterday with the aim to have a strategy for the distribution by December 11.

Who will get it first?

The vaccines are most likely to be given first to those who are most at risk from Covid-19. This would include the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions which make them particularly vulnerable to this infection.

How many doses of the vaccines are there?

The EU has already cut several deals with vaccine manufacturers to ensure a reliable supply for member states.

The EU deal with AstraZeneca gives the bloc the ability to purchase 300million doses of the vaccine upfront with the option for 100million more. The deal with Pfizer means giving the EU 200million doses of its vaccine with an option for 100million more.

In addition, the EU’s deal with Moderna also ensures access to 80million doses with an option for 80million more.

All this means that the EU could receive approximately 860million doses of the vaccine between these three alone, which will be distributed to member states on a pro-rata basis.

How soon until I am safe?

It takes six weeks for immunity to kick in from the first jab. There is a gap of four weeks between the two doses, then two more weeks until protection starts.

And how long will I be protected for?

That is not yet clear, but the Oxford team believe their jab should give at least a year’s protection, suggesting everyone will need to have an annual vaccine.

What are the risks?

The full data has not yet been published, but it certainly looks safe. The Oxford jab has been used on volunteers since April – with no major safety concerns – and the other two have at least two months of safety data. Altogether, more than 100,000 people have been involved in the trials which have produced data. Usually a vaccine will receive a licence after trials on 2,000 to 3,000 people.

Will it mean an end to Covid?

Experts are increasingly confident that, at the very least, vaccination will spell an end to Covid restrictions sometime next year. Scientists have previously predicted that a vaccine that gives 80% protection will mean no need for social distancing – and a result of more than 90% is well in excess of that. It might take some years for the world’s population to be vaccinated, and Covid may spring back from time to time, but an effective vaccine means that lockdowns will become obsolete.